Using antibiotics correctly and avoiding resistance

The development of was one of the great discoveries in modern medicine. They fight and can cure life-threatening infectious diseases such as , for which there was previously no effective treatment. But the improper use of means that more and more are becoming resistant to this kind of medication. So it is especially important to use them correctly.
Antibiotics can save lives, but they also relieve symptoms of bacterial infections and help us recover faster. But treatment with also has side effects. Nausea or diarrhea are common, for example.
Antibiotics are also used far too often, and improper use is widespread. This has caused many different types of to become resistant (unresponsive) to . Because has become more common, many diseases cannot be treated as well as they could in the past.
When using , it's important to know the following things to prevent and side effects:
- Antibiotics only work against . Many infections are caused by viruses and can't be treated using – examples include respiratory illnesses such as a cough, stuffy nose, or the flu.
- Excessive and improper use of causes side effects, and in the long term reduces their effectiveness.